While reflecting on the patriots who laid the foundation for the country, one ancestor sticks out as witnessing the ever-changing beginnings of the United States, as the colonies struggled to gain their independence. While he was not born an American, he made the personal decision to become one and live the remainder of his life as one.
Johann Conrad Leichleider, my 6th great grandfather, left his homeland of Germany in the year 1741 (the place would not actually be known by that name for another 100+ years), boarding a passenger vessel in Rotterdam called the Friendship, headed for the Americas.
He landed in the port of Philadelphia and took the Oath of Allegiance in the courthouse on the 12th of October, his age given as 21 (though he was likely only 17).
About 3 years later, he was married to Mary Barbara, and in 1750 they purchased 100 acres of land in the state of Pennsylvania. They raised a large family there, including a son, Johann Peter (my 5th great grandfather), who served in the American Revolution, enlisting in Captain Creager's Company in Frederick County, Maryland on 3 October 1776.
Johann Conrad was able to witness his son's heroic efforts, live through the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and even make it through the ratification of the Articles of Confederation when this young country first established the US government.
He died in the fall of 1781. He was buried in a family graveyard in Frederick County. The headstones were later removed from the plots and set by a tree in the pasture.
His tombstone was then moved to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, also known as Utica Cemetery. And though he most certainly adopted new customs and traditions in the colonies, he was memorialized in his native tongue of German.
His headstone reads...
"Al hier ruhet in Gott der tugendsame Johann Conrad Leichleider ward geb der 24 Dec 1724 in [] gelebt 36 jahr er erzeuget 11 kin der 8 sohne und 3 tochter starb 5 sept 1781 alt 57 jahr."
In modern English, this transcribes to...
"Here rests in God the virtuous Johann Conrad Leichleider he was born 24 Dec 1724 lived in matrimony 36 years he begat 11 children 8 sons and 3 daughters died 5 sept 1781 age 57 years."
It's important to remember that the liberties we hold dear in this country were not given freely. They were earned. And they were fought for. The sheer number of characters etched into Johann Conrad's tombstone tells me that the loved ones he left behind knew full and well how much he deserved and how much he was worth, even in death.
Johann Conrad's tombstone reminds me to keep fighting the good fight in memory of those who fought before us from all walks of life.
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